The Claim
Fewer than 10% of obese adults who initiate a protein-sparing modified fast achieve and maintain at least 15% weight loss five years after initiation.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Among obese adults who start a protein-sparing modified fast, fewer than 10% keep off at least 15% of their body weight five years later.
See the scientific wording
Fewer than 10% of obese adults who initiate the protein-sparing modified fast maintain ≥15% weight loss after five years, indicating that durable, clinically significant weight loss is rare regardless of diet choice.
When a person loses a lot of weight, the body slows down metabolism, increases hunger signals, and becomes less responsive to hormones that signal fullness. This makes it harder to keep eating less and burn fewer calories, so weight returns.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: The Effect of Starting the Protein-Sparing Modified Fast on Weight Change over 5 years
The study found that less than 10% of obese people who tried the PSMF diet lost 15% or more of their weight and kept it off for five years — and the same was true for people on other diets. So, no matter which diet you pick, it’s very hard to keep off a lot of weight long-term.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.